Just when it looked like set-pieces were the new public enemy no.1 for Premier League viewers, VAR and shoddy refereeing delivered a reminder on Wednesday night that it’s the major part of modern-day football no one enjoys.
In the last few weeks alone, we’ve been subject to some more than questionable refereeing decisions. With the farcical display in the FA Cup against Aston Villa still fresh in our memory, Jacob Ramsey’s bizarre sending off against Manchester United has become the latest in a long line of refereeing displays that have drawn the ire of Eddie Howe and everyone associated with Newcastle United.
If it weren’t for William Osula’s game winning wonder goal, Ramsey’s dismissal would no doubt have been the main talking point in the fallout of the game, and has spared the blushes of Peter Bankes and PGMOL once again.
We can be hopeful to avoid similar incidents happening next season, as a game changing new rule is set to be implemented…
Under current refereeing rules and capabilities, a second yellow card cannot be reviewed and subsequently overturned by VAR.
However, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), is set to implement a new protocol from next season to cover second yellow cards.
So if the Ramsey incident occurred next season, VAR would have the power to intervene and encourage the on-field referee to review their decision. And the general consensus is that Bankes’ decision was wrong and should have been overturned, with replays showing Ramsey’s foot buckled in the turf, rather than his attempting to con the referee with a dive.
It’s not the only new rule that IFAB are set to introduce: referees will soon have the power to start a five-second countdown to combat time wasting on throw and dead-ball goal kicks.
In addition to this, injury-related subs must be completed in no more than 10 seconds, otherwise the oncoming player must stay off for at least one minute.
Of course, these changes won’t take place until next season, meaning we’re set to be without Ramsey for the huge game against Manchester City in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Our midfield is already stretched paper thin already, and losing the in-form Ramsey won’t have gone down well with Howe ahead of the game against Pep Guardiola’s side.
Barring Woltemade, who may return from illness, this means our only available midfield options are Joe Willock, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, with Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes still missing.